Locking container



March 9, 193?. Q. P. WELLMAN NW2 LOCKING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5 195;:

l 3, INVENTOR I I marks fhillmnn ATTORNEY TM/1m March 9, 1937. c. P. WELLMAN v LOCKING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 5, 1935 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 MM (ital/as Wilma]? ATTORNEY March 9, 1937. c. P. WELLMAN LOCKING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 5, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTOR (Jar/Is [WW/man BY WWW ATTO R N EY Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCKING CONTAINER Charles P. Wellman, Medtord, Mass. Application January 5, 1933, Serial No. 650,229

6 Claims.

This invention relates to locking containers and more particularly to a container comprising telescoped body and cover portions provided with parts which are adapted to automatically interlook when the container is closed.

The invention herein disclosed is concerned with the provision of a container which may be made of paperboard or similar sheet material which can be locked in closed position to prevent unauiu thorized tampering with or pilfering of the contents. The container comprises generally a body portion having a bottom wall and surrounding side walls adapted to telescope together with a cover portion having a top wall and surrounding 15 side walls. Each of the portions may be formed from a single blank of sheet material. The side walls of each of the portions may be connected by bellows corner folds which are suitably secured to the side walls to maintain the portion in set 20 up tray form. Oneof the portions is provided with locking flaps which extend from two or more of the side walls. These locking flaps are so arranged that when the portions are telescoped together the flaps will automatically interlock with the bellows folds provided on the adjacent side walls of the other portion. Any effort to separate the portions by pulling the same apart will only operate to pull the locking flap and bellows folds together more tightly. It is, there- 30 fore, seen that the container can be carried by grasping the cover portion without the cover portion lifting off from the body portion. Handling of the container during shipment and storage is thus greatly facilitated. Due to the nature of 35 the interlock it would be very diilicult, if not impossible, to remove the cover portion from the body portion once the parts have been locked together. At best it would require considerable time to manipulate the interlocking parts so as 40 to separate the body and cover portions, thus offering to the contents a considerable degree of protection against pilfering. If moisture-proof material, such as strong waxed paper, is used to form the body portion. the container becomes substantially leakprooi due to the structure thereof. The container becomes additionally valuable in the shipment of commodities which contain some moisture such as fish, jellies, frozen prodnets and other semi-dry products.

An object of this invention is to provide a container which can be economically formed from sheet material and which is substantially pilierproof.

Another object 55 a container having a of this invention is to provide body and cover portion pro= vided with automatic locking parts which will maintain the container in sealed condition during shipment and storage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container comprising telescoping body and cover portions with means provided for securely locking and sealing these portions together without the use of cord or similar securing means, and which will permit the container to be roughly handled and grasped without or opened.

Another object of this invention is to provide inter-engaging locking devices formed from the material of the container which will automatically interlock when the container is closed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a locking container which may be formed of sheet material economically and on automatic machinery, which is strong and durable, substantially leakproof and which is provided with locking parts operative to automatically inter-engage to seal the container in closed position when filled with contents.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the novel features which are belived to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 represents a blank from which the body portion of the container may be formed;

Fig. 2 represents a blank from which the cover portion of the container may be formed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cover portion of the container formed from the blank shown in i 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of the container formed from the blank shown in' Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the body and cover portions in telescoped closed position, certain parts being broken away to illustrate the interlocking parts;

Fig. 6 represents a blank from which the body of the container of modified construction may be formed;

Fig. '7 represents a blank from which a cover portion of somewhat modified construction may be formed;

becoming unsealed 10 2 may also be provided Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cover portion formed from the blank shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the body portion formed from the blank shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through the body and cover portions shown in Figs. 8 and 9 as they appear when in closed telescoped position;

Fig. 11 represents a blank. from which a body portion of further modified form may be made;

Fig. 12 represents a blank from which the cover portion of modified form may be made;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the cover portion formed from the blank shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the body portion formed from the blank shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 represents a blank from which a modifled container having the cover portion hinged to the body portion may be made;

Fig. 16 is a. perspective view of the container formed from the blank shown in Fig. 15 as it appears when in assembled collapsed position; and

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary prespective view of the container shown in Fig. 16 as it appears when in erected position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown for purposes of illustration, a blank A suitably cut and scored to form the body portion of the container. The blank comprises a bottom wall I, side walls 2 and end walls 3 hinged to the bottom wall along the score lines 4 and 5 respectively. The side walls 2 and end walls 3 are connected together by bellows folds comprising bellows parts 6 and hinged together along the score line 8. Bellows parts 1 are hinged to the side walls 2 along the score lines 9, and the bellows parts 6 are hinged to the end walls 3 along the score lines l0. Auxiliary locking flaps hinged to the side walls 2 along the score lines if desired.

The cover portion of the container is formed from a blank B as shown more particularly in Fig. 2. This blank comprises a top wall 20 having side walls 2| and end walls 22 hinged thereto along the score lines 23 and 24 respectively. The side walls 2| and end walls 22 may also be connected by means of bellows corner folds comprising bellows parts 25 and 26 hinged together along the diagonal scored lines 21. Bellows parts 25 are hinged to the side walls 2| and bellows parts 26 are hinged to the end walls 22, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. A locking flap 30 hinged to each of the end walls 22 along the score line 3| is provided. Auxiliary locking flaps 28 hinged to the side walls 2| along the score line 29 may be provided if desired.

The bottom portion of the container is assembled by bending the side walls 2 and the end walls 3 upwardly and at right angles to the bottom wall I. Bellows parts 6 and I are then folded over one another and then folded flat against the end walls 3. The upper edge of the bellows parts 6 and 1 are then secured to the end walls 3 by means of staples I or other desirable securing means. The edge of the bellows parts represented by the score line 8 is not secured to the end walls 3 so as to permit insertion of a thin object therebetween for a purpose hereafter described. The auxiliary locking flaps I l are then bent over to rest against the Out id fa e of the side walls 2.

The cover portion B of the container is assembled similar to the body portion A by bending the side walls 2| and end walls 22 at right angles to the top wall 20. If it is desired that the cover portion telescope over the bottom portion, a neater appearing container may be made by folding the bellows parts 25 and 2B inwardly to rest against the inside face of the end walls 22, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. The bellows parts 25 and 26 may then be secured to the end walls 22 by means of staples I00 or other securing means.

The bellows parts 6 and I A provide projections with which cooperating locking flaps 30 provided on the cover portion may engage. If the cover portionB is to telescope over the body portion A it is preferable that the bellows folds provided on the body portion of the container be positioned on the outside face of the end walls. When so arranged the locking flaps 30 provided on the cover portion B are folded inwardly and when the cover portion is telescoped over the body portion a sufficient distance the locking flaps 30, resiliently expansible inwardly, will eventually snap over the edge 8 of the bellows parts 6 and and seat behind the same, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5. Any attempt to separate the body and interlocked by a separating pull would only draw the locking flap 30 further between the bellows parts 6 and 7 and the end walls 3, locking the portions even more securely together. For this reason it is very difficult to separate the body and cover portions once they have been telescoped together in closed position. Only by inserting a tool between the end walls 3 and 22 of the body and cover portions and manipulating the locking flap 30 out of engagement with the bellows parts and 1, can separation of the body and cover portions be effected, without of course breaking or destroying the side walls of the container itself. Considerable deftness and ingenuity would be required to unlock the body and cover portions and if unlocking of the parts of the portions could actually be done, the operation would require so much time as to make attempts to pilfer the contents impracticable and dangerous to the sneak thief.

As further security, auxiliary locking flaps I I and 28 carried by the body and side wall portions respectively may be provided. The auxiliary locking flap H is folded outwardly against the side wall 2 of the body portion and the auxiliary locking flap 28 is folded inwardly against the inside face of the side wall 2| of the cover portion B. When the body and cover portions are telescoped together the full distance, auxiliary locking flaps and 28 will snap into abutting engagement, as shown in Fig. 5, and thus further lock the body and cover portions together. With the main and auxiliary locking parts above provided, the container may be lifted and handled by grasping the cover portion only without danger of the body and cover portions becoming separated. Merchandise packaged in the container above described may be handled, shipped and stored with less loss, cost and damage, caused by the opening or breaking of the container. The body portion is furthermore made from a single blank and if the material thereof is waterproof, the body portion is substantially leak-proof since there are no openings along the corners or edges through which moisture or liquids can leak out of the container or seep into the container.

There is shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, a

on the body portion cover portions when thus container of slightly modified construction. A body portion A is formed from a single blank comprising bottom wall 40, side walls 4| and end walls 42. The side walls 4| and end walls 42 are connected together by bellows corner folds comprising bellows parts 43 and 44 hinged together along the transverse score line 45. The body portion is assembled together in tray formation by folding the bellows parts 43 and 44 against the outside face of the end walls 42 and securing the same together by means of staples ill!) or similar securing means. The bellows parts 43 and 44 may be provided with edges 46 which abut one another when the body portion is assembled, as shown more particularly in Fig. 9. An unusually strong and durable body portion is thus provided.

The cover portion B is formed from a blank shown in Fig. 7 comprising a top wall 58, side walls i and end walls 52 hinged thereto. Bellows corner folds comprising bellows parts 53 and 5d connect the side walls 5i and 52 at the corners. In assembling the cover portion the bellows parts 53 and 54 are preferably folded inwardly and secured to the inside face of the end walls 52. When in this position the free edges tit and 5? of the bellows parts 53 and 5% respectively abut one another as shown more particularly in Fig. 3. A locking flap 55 is hinged to the free edge of each of the end walls 52 of the cover portion. The locking flaps 55 fold inwardly and when the body and cover portions are fully telescoped together, the edges 53 thereof snap behind the bellows parts :23 and M of the body portion holding the locking flap 55 firmly interengaged with the bellows corner flaps, preventing separation of the body and cover portions of the container. The interlocking of the parts is clearly illustrated in Fig. 10. The top wall 5% may be provided with an opening which is covered with suitable transparent material 59 to permit the contents of the container to be inspected and viewed without necessitating access to the contents.

in Figs. 11 and 12 there are shown blanks A' and B from which telesccped body and cover portions may be made having a modified arrangement of interlocking parts. The body portion A comprises a bottom wall it having side walls iii and end walls i2 hinged thereto. The corner bellows folds connect the side walls ii and end walls and comprise bellows parts iii and id which are foldable together and may or may not be secured to the end walls it by means of staples till? or similar securing means. Each of the end walls i2 is provided with a locking flap l5 hinged to the free edge thereof and foldable outwardly as shown more particularly in Fig. 14. The cover portion comprises a top wall 30 having side walls 8% and end walls 82 hinged thereto. Bellows corner folds comprising bellows parts 83 and 84 connect the side walls 8i and end walls 32 together. Bellows folds 83 and 85 are preferably folded against the inside face of the end walls 82 and may or may not be secured together by means of staples, or similar securing means. In some instances I have not found it necessary to staple or otherwise secure the bellows parts to an adjacent wall respectively of the body and/or cover, the body and cover portions operating to mutually sustain one another when telescoped together.

When the cover portion B is fully telescoped over the body portion A the locking flap i5, resiliently mounted, will snap in back of the bellows parts 83 and ed and seat between these bellows parts and the end walls 82. This particular arrangement of the bellows folds and interlocking flaps makes it very dimcult if not impossible to separate the body and cover portions without actually destroying the container since it is most difficult to grasp the locking flap 1! by instru ments or otherwise when once looked behind the bellows folds 88 and 84.

There is shown in Fig. 15 a single blank from which both the body and cover portions of the container maybe made. The body portion comprises a bottom wall 85 having a front wall 86 and side walls 81. The cover portion comprises a top wall 88 hinged to the bottom wall 85 of the body portion by a common rear wall 88. The cover portion is also provided with a front wall 98 and side walls 9! adapted to telescope over front wall 88 and side walls 81 of the cover portion. Front walls 88 and side walls 81 of the body portion are connected together by means of bellows folds comprising bellows parts 84' and 95 which are secured to the outside face of the front wall 98. Similarly, front wall 90 and side walls 98 of the cover portion are connected together by means of bellows folds comprising bellows parts 96 and 91 foldable against and secured to the outside face of the front wall 90. The side walls iii of the cover portion and the side walls 31 or" the body portion are both connected to the common rear wall 89 by means of triangular parts 99, 92 and 93 hinged and foldable together so as to rest against the wall 88 when the body and cover portion are in telescoped position. A transverse score line 99 extends through the side walls ill of the cover portion and the side walls 81 of the body portion so as to permit the front wall 88 to collapse and fold against the bottom wall 85 and to permit the front wall 90 to collapse and fold against the top wall E38, as shown more particularly in Fig. 16. Containers as thus formed are adapted to be shipped in collapsed knockdown position until ready for use.

The front wall @ii of the cover portion is provided with a locking flap till hinged to and extending therefrom. Loci-ring flap 9% is adapted to interengage and lock with the bellows parts 9 3 and d5 provided on the cover and body portion are set up and fully telescoped together. The arrangement of the various folds and the interlocking engagement of the parts is made clear by referring to Fig. 17 of the drawings.

The body and cover portions comprising the locking container herein disclosed may assume a variety of different shapes and forms. The cover portion may telescope inside of or on the outside of the body portion as found most convenient and desirable. The bellows corner connections may be positioned on either the inside or outside of the body and cover portions with the locking flap correspondingly arranged so as to permit engagement with the corresponding bellows folds. The body and cover portions may also be formed with auxiliary locking devices if found desirable and the portions themselves may be formed from separate blanks or formed from a single blank hinged together if desired. The container if formed from waterproof material is substantially leak-proof and for this reason is especially adapted for the packaging of moist and semi-liquid products.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

body portion when the What is claimed is:

1. In a locking container comprising telescoping body and cover portions, each of said portions having rigidly connected side and end walls, corner folds in one portion, and a locking flap attached to the other portion, the edges of said folds and said flap providing cooperating latch members, said members being adapted to automatically snap into engagement when said body and cover portions are telescoped together.

2. In a locking container comprising telescoping body and cover portions, said cover portion having a top wall, side walls and end walls, said body portion having a bottom wall, side walls and end walls, bellows corner folds connecting the body side walls and end walls and secured to said end walls, downwardly projecting hinged flaps on the upper edges of said body side walls, upwardly projecting hinged flaps on the cover side and end walls, said cover flaps being adapted to latch with both said body flaps and corner folds when said body and cover portions are telescoped together.

3. In a locking container comprising telescoping body and cover portions, each of said portions having rigidly connected enclosing side walls, interior corner folds on said cover portion and a downwardly projecting flap on said body portion, and the edges of said flap and said folds being spaced to permit automatic latching thereof when said portions are telescoped together.

4. A locking container comprising telescoping cover and body portions, said body portion having a bottom wall and surrounding connecting side walls, said cover portion having a top wall and connected surrounding side walls, one of said portions being provided with bellows corner folds connecting the side walls thereof and secured thereto in fixed relation, and a reverse projecting flap hinged to the edge of the corresponding side wall of the other portion, said folds and said flap having locking edges operative to automatically interlock when said portions are telescoped together.

5. A locking container comprising telescoping cover and body portions, said body portion having a bottom wall and surrounding side walls, said cover portion having a top wall and surrounding side walls, bellows corner folds connecting the side walls of each of said portions, and a reverse projecting flap hinged to the free edge of one of said portions, said flap being operative to automatically interlock with the corner folds on the corresponding side walls of the other portion when said portions are telescoped together.

6. A locking container comprising telescoping cover and body portions, said body portionhaving a bottomwall and surrounding side walls, bellows corner folds connecting the side walls of said body portion, said cover portion having a top wall and interconnected surrounding side walls, and a reverse projecting locking flap hinged to the free edge of one of said last mentioned side walls, said flap having a length not substantially in excess of one half the depth of said side walls and having its free edge substantially shorter than its hinged edge, the ends of said flap extending at approximately a 45 angle to the hinged edge thereof, said flap being operative to automatically engage with the corner folds on the corresponding side walls of the body portion when said cover and body portions are telescoped together.

CHARLES P. WELLMAN. 

